Festival Deepens Caribbean Focus While Attracting International Talent

Baha Mar has announced the return of its Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival for October 21–25, 2026, with weekend passes now on sale. The fifth iteration of the event will feature an expanded roster of Caribbean-rooted chefs alongside established international names.

The lineup includes returning stars Daniel Boulud, Marcus Samuelsson, Scott Conant, and Amanda Freitag, alongside new additions Esther Choi, Claudette Zepeda, Tristen Epps, Nina Compton, and husband-and-wife team Lisa and Chris Binns. Bahamian chef Simeon Hall Jr. will anchor the Caribbean-focused programming.

"As we celebrate five years of the Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival, it's incredibly rewarding to see how the event has grown into a true reflection of who we are at Baha Mar—a place where global talent and local culture come together in meaningful ways," said Graeme Davis, President of Baha Mar. "This year, we're especially proud to deepen our focus on Caribbean culinary voices, creating space for both emerging and established chefs to share their stories alongside some of the world's most celebrated names."

Highlighted Events

The festival's flagship event, Taste of Baha Mar, returns Friday, October 23, featuring walk-around tastings from the resort's signature restaurants with live chef stations and a TBA musical performance.

The Art of the Plate Foundation Dinner on Saturday, October 24, is billed as an immersive dining experience where each course draws inspiration from Caribbean artists and culinary traditions.

The FUZE Art & Culinary Expo, now in its fourth year, runs Saturday and Sunday with a focus on Caribbean art.

Ticket Options

Gold Weekend Passes ($) include access to Taste of Baha Mar, two-day FUZE Expo access, the Foundation Dinner, and a welcome gift bag. Platinum passes ($) offer one-hour early admission to each event, VIP FUZE access, and a premium gift bag.

Additional programming details will be announced in the coming months. Tickets are available at festival.bahamar.com.

Why It Matters

For operators and tourism stakeholders, this expansion signals growing market demand for culinary events that authentically represent regional cuisines rather than solely featuring international celebrity chefs. The festival's emphasis on Caribbean voices—particularly emerging talent—reflects broader industry momentum toward local sourcing and storytelling as competitive advantages in luxury resort programming.

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Written by FBM Publications Editors